Yang Manchun

Yang Manchun was a Goguryeo general who bravely commanded Ansi Fortress during an eighty-day siege by the Tang Chinese army of Emperor Taizong of Tang in 645 AD.

Biography
Yang Manchun was born in Ansi, Liaodong, China (then a part of Goguryeo), and he became the commander of Ansi Fortress during the 640s. He refused to back Yeon Gaesomun during his 642 AD coup, causing a rivalry between the two generals. In 645, Yang remained in Ansi while Yeon led his army to defeat at the Battle of Mt. Jupil, and Yeon blamed his defeat on Yang, sending Eulbul Sa-mul to Ansi to assassinate Yang. However, Yang and his right-hand man Choo Soo-jin foiled the plot, and the generous and benevolent Yang decided to recruit Eulbul as his standard-bearer. He then sorted out a dispute between axemen commander Hwal-bo and swordsmen commander Poong, uniting the soldiers of Ansi in preparation for the arrival of Emperor Taizong of Tang's large army of 200,000 troops. Yang bravely defended the city against the eighty-day Siege of Ansi, even firing an arrow and putting out the Emperor's eye. The Emperor, impressed with Yang's brave defense of the city, awarded him 100 rolls of silk in recognition of his loyalty to his country.